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carlottag's review
4.0
Tim has come a long way from where he was in My Life Next Door and it is so inspiring to see him deal with being kicked out of his parents house, being a recovering alcoholic, and on top of that finding out he has a son in a healthy way. He finds himself a new home, he goes to AA meetings, and he takes care of Cal. He really grows up in this book. And his relationship with Alice is mature and they both understand each other so well.
Spoilers:
I was disappointed with the end. I wanted Cal to stay with Tim and for Cal to really be his son. After everything Tim went through it just seemed cruel to take away the one thing he really was sure about. That he loved Cal so much he was willing to become a full time father and possibly lose Alice for it but in the end he'd have Cal. And I really felt attached to Cal. When he first smiled I was smiling right along with him. Whenever Tim was holding him while he slept and when he took showers with Cal, I felt like someone was pulling at my heart strings.
Another thing that I didn't like was Nan. I've never liked her. She wasn't a good friend to Samantha and she isn't a good sister to Tim. She tells their dad about Cal even though it's not her business. She makes everything about herself and is extremely judgemental of everone else's mistakes. She stole Tim's essays and passed them off as hers and gets all the credit while everyone is on Tim's ass about being a failure compared to her. Whenever I read a part she was in I'd get really mad and that made me enjoy the book less.
While we are on the subject of Tim's family, his dad and mom really, REALLY pissed me off. His mom for letting her husband be a dick to his kids, for not having the strength to stand up for her children, for not supporting Tim like a mother should. His father was the worst. He wants Tim to be a man but does't try to help him or guide him. His son is obviously struggling and he doesn't care.
And I'm mad that Tim didn't tell them all to fuck themselves because he didn't need that kind of negativity in his life.
Spoilers:
I was disappointed with the end. I wanted Cal to stay with Tim and for Cal to really be his son. After everything Tim went through it just seemed cruel to take away the one thing he really was sure about. That he loved Cal so much he was willing to become a full time father and possibly lose Alice for it but in the end he'd have Cal. And I really felt attached to Cal. When he first smiled I was smiling right along with him. Whenever Tim was holding him while he slept and when he took showers with Cal, I felt like someone was pulling at my heart strings.
Another thing that I didn't like was Nan. I've never liked her. She wasn't a good friend to Samantha and she isn't a good sister to Tim. She tells their dad about Cal even though it's not her business. She makes everything about herself and is extremely judgemental of everone else's mistakes. She stole Tim's essays and passed them off as hers and gets all the credit while everyone is on Tim's ass about being a failure compared to her. Whenever I read a part she was in I'd get really mad and that made me enjoy the book less.
While we are on the subject of Tim's family, his dad and mom really, REALLY pissed me off. His mom for letting her husband be a dick to his kids, for not having the strength to stand up for her children, for not supporting Tim like a mother should. His father was the worst. He wants Tim to be a man but does't try to help him or guide him. His son is obviously struggling and he doesn't care.
And I'm mad that Tim didn't tell them all to fuck themselves because he didn't need that kind of negativity in his life.
kippins's review against another edition
3.0
I absolutely loved Tim. I Kinda Liked Alice. I enjoyed the story :)
ivyreadstoomuch's review against another edition
4.5
A much different book than My Life Next Door but I liked it better. It's hard to compare the two because I feel like the first book was a sweet romance story whereas this book is about Tim and Alice and their problems and they just so happen to like each other. They are both such relatable, sympathetic characters. I've never been a teenage alcoholic or pseudo mother to my six younger siblings at 22, but their struggles were easily connected to bigger themes throughout the book. There was a genuine connection between Tim and Alice and I thought it was one of the most realistic portrayals of the beginning of a relationship that I have ever read. You see the effort they put into making it work, you see their failures and where they have to grow. It was such an unexpectedly touching book.
pausmiles's review against another edition
4.0
Vale estoy llorando con el final. Llevaba como seis meses esperando este libro y cuando por fin conseguí empezarlo estaba en dudas de si me iba a gustar o no, mas que nada porque no estaba cumpliendo mis expectativas para nada. Sin embargo conforme ha ido avanzando, el libro me ha ido gustando más y más hasta incluso superar a My Life Next Door. Buen trabajo Fitzpatrick
sharonsm_28's review against another edition
5.0
I received a copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Actual Rating: 4.75
This was an amazing sampler. I haven't read the books yet, but this sampler gave me an insight of what I am to expect from the novels when I do. Huntley Fitzpatrick knows how to connect with her audience and fall in love with the story and leaves us wanting more! I can't wait to read these books! Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this sampler. Overall, an great read that made me a fan of Huntley Fitzpatrick.
Actual Rating: 4.75
This was an amazing sampler. I haven't read the books yet, but this sampler gave me an insight of what I am to expect from the novels when I do. Huntley Fitzpatrick knows how to connect with her audience and fall in love with the story and leaves us wanting more! I can't wait to read these books! Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this sampler. Overall, an great read that made me a fan of Huntley Fitzpatrick.
sharonsm_28's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It was about failing first, trying again, and having to decide to risk it all once more. I thought the concept was grasp beautifully and this was an amazing addition to My Life Next Door!
Tim is Nan's twin brother. He was kicked out Ellery. He drank and now he is sober. He is a smart, and caring. Alice is Jase's sister. She dates the bad boy types. She is smart, confident, and cute.
The ending was cute. I was happy to see Jase and Sam and the rest of the Garretts. My favourite secondary character of the book is George. With his cute, innocent humor. Hope we get to see the other Garretts fall in love as well. Overall, an amazing read.
Tim is Nan's twin brother. He was kicked out Ellery. He drank and now he is sober. He is a smart, and caring. Alice is Jase's sister. She dates the bad boy types. She is smart, confident, and cute.
The ending was cute. I was happy to see Jase and Sam and the rest of the Garretts. My favourite secondary character of the book is George. With his cute, innocent humor. Hope we get to see the other Garretts fall in love as well. Overall, an amazing read.
ceena's review against another edition
2.0
I'm really not sure to say about this book, since I've been wanting to DNF since 38%.... I kept with it though, so I'm kinda proud of myself.
I'm not at all attached with the characters. The pacing was also fast, but sometimes I didn't understand if with a perspective switch if the time was still the same, day later, or even earlier in the day. So, that was a tab confusing occasionally.
I think part of the reason I kept reading the book was so that I could put my finger on what exactly I felt was missing with this fast-pace. There is definitely more dialogue than not and more problems and stress than working towards solutions. Honestly, reading this book was stressing ME out. And while this is a romance, the focus really isn't on the relationship. In fact, I don't understand what they like about each other except looks. When Alice first asks Tim out on a date, I was stunned. Usually, I can see it coming through their inner thoughts about the other person, blushing, or interactions, but Alice rarely thinks about Tim in a romantic way -- Tim only really thinks about her body.
Story-wise, I'm not sure what the climax or point of the book is. The characters don't really change. Maybe Tim a bit, but he was already changing when the story began. Alice? nah, same. Then again, I know people don't need to grow and change , yet in a character-driven story like this you assume they do.
I think the topics in this book are good ones to broach. Things happen, responsibility can be too much to handle, and it all sucks --things people actually go through. Unfortunately, I don't think this is a book I'll remember after a week or two :/
I'm not at all attached with the characters. The pacing was also fast, but sometimes I didn't understand if with a perspective switch if the time was still the same, day later, or even earlier in the day. So, that was a tab confusing occasionally.
I think part of the reason I kept reading the book was so that I could put my finger on what exactly I felt was missing with this fast-pace. There is definitely more dialogue than not and more problems and stress than working towards solutions. Honestly, reading this book was stressing ME out. And while this is a romance, the focus really isn't on the relationship. In fact, I don't understand what they like about each other except looks. When Alice first asks Tim out on a date, I was stunned. Usually, I can see it coming through their inner thoughts about the other person, blushing, or interactions, but Alice rarely thinks about Tim in a romantic way -- Tim only really thinks about her body.
Story-wise, I'm not sure what the climax or point of the book is. The characters don't really change. Maybe Tim a bit, but he was already changing when the story began. Alice? nah, same. Then again, I know people don't need to grow and change , yet in a character-driven story like this you assume they do.
I think the topics in this book are good ones to broach. Things happen, responsibility can be too much to handle, and it all sucks --things people actually go through. Unfortunately, I don't think this is a book I'll remember after a week or two :/
magdi_thealien37's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5